For the Cashier Who Left Me Totally Without Words – Kudos to You
It was a day of rest, and I felt sufficiently irritable, refueling my mum’s car. The location was a common fuel stop that operates as a grocery store, so you run the risk of joining a queue customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to occur when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.
Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. Just one employee working, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for his purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I was certain I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she could even be a comrade in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down people just getting gas such as myself.
Taking a step forward, now third in line. The person ahead of our group completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here tells people such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. You don’t get many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady engaged in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her purchases, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. Once completed, she too got told an excellent day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark in her direction, to check for that reaction when they look at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.
In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to identical in effect – while she stared straight at me, deep into my soul, and told me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.
